High School Cheerleader and Aspiring Nurse Killed by Fallen Tree Days Before Graduation

Kara Bryson (pictured) 18, died on Monday morning when winds of up to 70mph uprooted a tree which crushed the camper she was staying in with friends at picturesque Penland Point close to the Chatuge Lake

Kara Bryson, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader and aspiring nurse, tragically died on Monday morning when a tree fell on the trailer she was staying in with friends near Chatuge Lake, North Carolina. Uprooted by 70 mph winds, the tree crushed the camper at picturesque Penland Point.

The teenager's cheer team also mourned her loss in a heartbreaking message posted online

Kara was set to graduate from Tuscola High School in Waynesville, NC, this Friday. According to Clay County NC Emergency Services, Kara was in the trailer with four friends at the time of the incident over Memorial Day weekend. The department reported, "A large tree had been uprooted by heavy straight-line winds and landed on the portion of the trailer that housed the victim."

Kara was in the trailer with four friends at the time, according to Clay County NC Emergency Services who responded at the scene over Memorial Day weekend

Friends who started a fundraiser for Kara's family described her as "a beautiful soul who was tragically taken too soon." Recently pinned as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Kara enjoyed working with residents at her local Skyland Terrace nursing home. The fundraiser highlighted her close relationships with her mother, father, and three younger brothers.

The high school senior had planned to get ready for graduation with her best friend Callie Parker (left) on Friday, like they did for prom earlier in May, according to The Mountaineer

Kara's cheer team expressed their sorrow in a heartfelt Facebook post: "This is a loss. A devastating loss. A tragedy to everyone, most importantly to her family and friends… but also a horrible loss to our cheer family. We love you, Kara! Always a Tuscola Cheerleader. Always in our hearts. Forever missed!"

Friends said Kara was 'recently pinned as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)' and she 'enjoyed working with the residents' at her local Skyland Terrace nursing home

According to The Mountaineer, Kara had planned to prepare for graduation with her best friend Callie Parker, as they had done for prom earlier in May. Callie now intends to decorate an empty chair in Kara’s honor at the graduation ceremony. "There is going to be a spot missing, someone who worked hard their whole life to be there and now doesn't have the opportunity," said Chloe Thompson, a fellow senior and cheerleader. "I think it is going to be hard for all of us."